County discusses new hotel tax
The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court met on Monday to discuss whether to enact a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax, the authority to enact it was authorized by the state legislature in SB 3127 last session. The matter was ultimately tabled. Three members of the public spoke against implementing it and one spoke in favor of…
Read MoreVISD holding special meeting on Thursday
The Vernon Independent School District board of trustees will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration building boardroom. The only action item on the agenda is approval to purchase more Chromebooks. The board has previously discussed the need for the computers in case the district has to…
Read MoreCattle truck wreck causes fireworks stand explosion
First responders and private citizens were pressed into action following an accident which set off an explosion rocking the south part of Chillicothe during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers stated a semi, hauling a trailer full of cattle, was northbound on U.S. 287. The 18-wheeler drifted across the…
Read MoreIndictment in Federal two-state drug investigation
The Wilbarger County Grand Jury recently met and returned more than 40 indictments, including one stemming from a federal investigation into a two-state drug ring. Steven Anthony Mitchell was indicted for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Mitchell was arrested on Sept. 19, 2019 in Vernon. On that date five…
Read MoreGovernor Abbott Establishes Statewide Face Covering Requirement, Issues Proclamation To Limit Gatherings
Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings…
Read MoreFree Covid testing on Wednesday
Mobile COVID-19 testing is coming to Vernon this week. This will be the third time the mobile clinic has been in Vernon. Texas Health and Human Services will be operating the testing at the Carnegie Library, 2810 Wilbarger Street, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m Wednesday, June 17. Call 512-883-2400 or visit txcovidtest.org…
Read MoreOrtega signs to wrestle for Wayland Baptist
Vernon High School senior Felicity Ortega has signed to wrestle for Wayland Baptist University. She becomes the first female wrestler from Vernon to receive an athletic scholarship. “It was a disappointing senior year, first with the injury and then not being able to finish (due to the coronavirus shutdown,” Ortega said. “(This) really means everything…
Read MoreLongtime Vernon resident to turn 100 years old on June 17
Longtime Vernon resident Mary Louise Killebrew will celebrate her 100th birthday on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Mary Louise was born on June 17, 1920 in Hopkinsville, Ky., a daughter of Samuel and Rena (Stanton) Stokes. She and her younger brother, Samuel Edward (Buddy) Stokes, were orphaned at an early age. While initially living with grandparents,…
Read MoreVernon High athletes begin summer workouts
Vernon High School athletes are back on campus for the first time in three months. Activities were suspended in March statewide due to Covid-19 concerns. Vernon students began summer conditioning activities this week — the boys started on Monday evening at the high school and the girls started Tuesday morning at the middle school. The…
Read MoreVouchers available for fresh fruits and veggies
The Vernon Farmers Market is off and running, set up each Saturday morning on the north side of the Wilbarger County Courthouse, and on Tuesday afternoons between 4-6 p.m. on the front lawn of Wilbarger General Hospital at the midweek market. The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides seniors and WIC participants with fresh fruits…
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